How did Rio police catch cellphone thieves during Carnival?

Police officers in Rio de Janeiro dressed as characters from 'Money Heist' and 'Friday the 13th' to go undercover and identify cellphone thieves among the Carnival crowds.

What were the results of the undercover operation in Santa Teresa?

In Rio's Santa Teresa neighborhood, the undercover police operation led to the arrest of two individuals who were found with five stolen cellphones.

Have cellphone thefts declined in Brazil?

Yes, according to national reports, cellphone thefts in Brazil have seen a decline, dropping from approximately 980,000 per year in 2022 to 850,000 in 2024.

Home / Crime and Justice / Carnival Cops: 'Money Heist' & 'Jason' Bust Phone Thieves

Carnival Cops: 'Money Heist' & 'Jason' Bust Phone Thieves

14 Feb

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Summary

Undercover officers dressed as movie villains to catch cellphone thieves.
Police in Rio's Santa Teresa neighborhood arrested a pair with five stolen phones.
Cellphone thefts have declined in Brazil but remain a public concern.

Carnival Cops: 'Money Heist' & 'Jason' Bust Phone Thieves

During Rio de Janeiro's vibrant Carnival celebrations, police officers in the Santa Teresa neighborhood employed an unusual strategy to combat cellphone thefts. To better blend in with the festive crowds and identify thieves, officers donned costumes inspired by popular culture, including characters from the series "Money Heist" and the horror film "Friday the 13th."

This undercover operation proved successful as officers observed a woman snatching a cellphone and subsequently arrested her and an accomplice. They recovered five stolen cellphones from the pair. This initiative follows similar successful tactics used by Brazilian police in other cities.

Previously, officers in Sao Paulo dressed as "Ghostbusters" apprehended a woman with 12 stolen phones, and in alien costumes, caught a man with three devices. While national statistics show a decrease in cellphone thefts from approximately 980,000 annually in 2022 to 850,000 in 2024, public concern regarding crime remains significant.

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